Heavy Seas - Peg Leg Imperial Stout - Heavy Seas Beer

patreely12

Maryland

3.58/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had this from a cask at the Heavy Seas BBQ fest. reviewed from notes.

A - very dark brown, near black. some ruby highlights. mocha head with nice retention. too opaque to see any carbonation.

S - dark roasted coffee and chocolate. maybe some vanilla and molasses. very rich.

T/M - the flavors of this beer are very rich. roasted coffee and dark, bittersweet chocolate. very malty. earthy hops take an almost unnoticeable backseat in this one. there is something off-putting in the flavor, i want to say oak or something else wooden. I don't know if it's the cask or what. in another stouts this works nicely but it just doesn't seem to work in this recipe. heavier in body and slick. pretty moderate carbonation.

Overall this is a good stout with a strong ABV. I wouldn't be putting down many of these back to back. I'd like to try this again in bottle form to seem if the taste was thrown off by the cask.

Serving type: cask

03-28-2011 17:34:26 | More by patreely12

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served from firkin into a Heavy Seas imperial pint. This was the second glass poured off the firkin. Pour was pitch black with a tan two finger head that subsided slowly to one finger leaving a nice lacing as it went down. The brew maintained phenomonal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of malt, hops, subtle coffee bean, and cream. The flavor was of malt, coffee, caramel, with a subtle hop followthrough. It had a medium feel on the palate with low carbonation. Overall this was a very nice brew. Only downside was that it had a very light feel on the palate compared to what I would have expected. Definitely loved the firkin version however. This one was quite tasty and enjoyable for sure. This is a definite must try out of a cask or firkin.

Serving type: cask

10-04-2010 12:13:46 | More by thagr81us

DoubleSimcoe

New York

4.05/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Clipper City Peg Leg Imperial Stout on cask at the one and only Brews Cafe in Granville, Ohio.

Appearance: Black! No question about it. Huge frothy head, but no lacing at all (perhaps an improper pour?)

Smell: Incredibly light. Some spice, smoke, liquorice.

Taste: Vanilla, bourbon... like a Jack Daniels-infused stout. Some back bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Light, somewhat disappointing. Looks thick, but it tastes smooth. Almost no carbonation. Too thin/watery.

Drinkability: High! Disappoints for an Imperial Stout... but it is perfectly chuggable.

Serving type: cask

09-25-2010 05:00:46 | More by DoubleSimcoe

Arithmeticus

Maryland

3.8/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this at the Churchkey in DC, on a special Heavy Seas cask night.

A: beautiful, thick, rich head; dark copper color; lacing on the empty glass was a sight to behold
S: wafts of roast banana, sweet and abundant
T: very peculiar stout--it's not just the smoke, but the multiple layers of flavor that terminate in a grassy/hopped flavor.
M: rich and thick

This was one of the more interesting Heavy Seas beers I've tried, mainly for its complexity.

Serving type: cask

08-26-2010 13:33:03 | More by Arithmeticus

Amalak

New York

3.13/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had off the cask at Blind Tiger in New York.
A- Very, very black. Solid tan head that leaves a good deal of lace.
S- Very nice cinnamon scent.
T- So intense. Sour, chocolate, but high in alcohol. Way too much alcohol. Tastes like a Scotch barrel aged beer. Sort of like an Innis and Ginn. Very acidic.

Serving type: cask

07-28-2010 16:49:30 | More by Amalak

atsprings

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On cask at Sam's Quik Stop in Durham during a Heavy Seas tasting event served in a Heavy Seas curved pint glass a nice opaque black with a very frothy light tan head that lasts and leaves decent lacing on the glass. Aroma is a nice amount of roasted malts and mild coffee. The taste is a nice amount of smooth roasted malts with nice cocoa and coffee accents. The beer is very smooth and easy drinking from the cask conditioning. This is a beer very well suited for its cask, even enjoyable, almost quaffable, on a hot Summer afternoon.

Serving type: cask

06-25-2010 22:21:51 | More by atsprings

zadams1

Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

On cask at Ginger Man - South Norwalk, CT

A - Poured dark black into a snifer with a nice 3/4" thick tan head.

S - Smells of rich chocolate, oak and bitter coffee.

T - For an Imperial Stout, simple...and there's nothing wrong with that. Everything about it was understated and balanced. Light hoppiness and smooth maltiness mixed with chocolate, vanilla, anise and dark roasted coffee.

M - The best thing about this beer (or at least when had off a well operated cask)! Amazing stuff - carbonated just as it should, not too much and more importantly not too little. A lot of cask operators struggle with the latter. A nice cellar temperature brought out some great flavors and it was an unmistakably smooth beer.

D - Enjoyed one before I had to go but could have very well had another. Again, off cask I'm sure this beer changed shape quite a bit and made it a real pleasure.

Serving type: cask

04-15-2010 18:26:50 | More by zadams1

Jesstyr

Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed from the cask at Gingerman in South Norwalk.

Pours a dark oil slick black with a huge head - that disappears almost immediately. Very little lacing. Nose is quite mild, but with just a hint of sweetness. Nothing really special here, but nothkg bad.

Taste is overtly creamy, surprisingly so. Quite a bit sweet, and with a little bit of pear, maybe even a little bit of subtle citrus. Malty and full bodied, a little toasted, but not as much as I expected. Mouthfeel is so thick and creamy, almost like a dessert drink. Fairly easy to drink, but the fullness makes this very heavy. This sucker is pretty big and flavorful, but just doesn't have the balance and subtleties you'd hope for.

Serving type: cask

03-20-2010 02:01:56 | More by Jesstyr

afausser

Virginia

4.4/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on cask at Beer Run in Charlottesville

A: Pours a light and bubbly dark brown with really interesting carbonation. A nice, bubbly light brown head with about half of the ten ounce glass down filled with visible bubbles rushing up.

S: Coffee, chocolate, and cream.

T: The cream is again present here, along with some vanilla. More dominant are milk chocolate and roasted coffee. Slightly bready and nutty.

M: Very nice, though probably partly due to being on cask. Creamy yet bubbly, and very smooth.

D: Could drink this all night--in fact, I went and had this two nights in a row. I'm glad I came across it.

Serving type: cask

01-09-2010 14:50:15 | More by afausser

jampics2

Ohio

2.45/5  rDev -32.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Cask from the Beer Engine.

A great looking snifter brought to the table. Dark black liquid waits beneath a nice white head.

Smell throws me off. I swear that this smells like garbage. The hops and chocolate combine to make a smell that really can only be imagined as a black plastic bag baking in the hot sun. Not good so far :(

Taste follows the smell. Sure, I can see where they were going with this one. But there's something about the combination of the dank, stinky hops and the chocolate malt that reminds me of a garbage bag. Not that I've ever eaten that kind of thing.

The mouthfeel was the best part of this beer. Can't comment on the carb as this was a cask, but the thickness of the beer is really spot on.

Drinkability suffers tremendously. If your name is Oscar the Grouch, this may remind you of home. But anyone else should know - this is one to be avoided (on cask at the very least).

Serving type: cask

12-09-2009 16:07:51 | More by jampics2

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.05/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Max's the other night. Listed as the peg leg with oak chips added.

The beer pours a dark blackish brown color with good head retention and lacing. The blend of aromas is interesting in this beer, consisting of some dark fruits, coffee and chocolate, but really dominiated by a strong licorice component. I do like licorice, but this might be too much of a good thing in this beer. On the palate the flavor profile is (thankfully) dominated by chocolate and coffee, with just a hint of vanilla and licorice. The mouthfeel on this beer is its best feature (IMHO), as the beer is soft, long and very creamy. Alcohol is noticeable in this beer, but it's not at all obtrusive. It's noticeable, but it really doesn't interfere with the flavor profile.

Have had this beer many times on gas and was not all that impressed. On cask the beer is much, much better. Not bad at all.

Serving type: cask

05-12-2009 16:54:55 | More by johnmichaelsen

rtepiak

Poland

4.1/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

this is interesting. cask pour. opaque, surprisingly foamy. lighter foam with bubble not that extremely tight. quite spotty with good retention. smell is cream... pineapple hint with apple malt tang. english sour. taste of very milky fruit... apple to chocolate covered banana finish smooth wood. quite nice. extremely smooth... would like to taste in a bottle to see if the flavor is as consistent. wonderful find at barcade... sorry i had the last two glasses of the cask.

Serving type: cask

11-25-2008 02:20:43 | More by rtepiak

Shiredave

New York

3.88/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Hand pulled from the newly installed engine at The Beech Tree Grill in Po-town.

A few days old but pouring in great condition this intensly black beer sported a dense brown head that left chunks of sticky lace behind.

No real aroma to speak of - hints of smoke thru the slighty sweet but very mild roasty nose. Nothing off just not much there to smell.

Rich, lush and viscous, lots of roasty sweetness witha touch of acidity along side the sharp black grain and hop bittering. Nice Imp Stout flavors without a big alcohol presence.

Great full bodied mouth feel with a tickle of alcohol on the finish. Not over bitter with excellent balance and drinkability for such of heavy beer.

Serving type: cask

09-25-2008 04:33:00 | More by Shiredave

dedrinker

Kansas

3.83/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A fresh cask of Peg Leg - brought to the bar the same day I sampled it. Fresh hop aroma with yeasty and roasty notes mingled in. Flavor is roasted grains, earthy hops, and weak coffee. For an Imperial stout the body is significantly lacking - more of a porter-like body and depth to it (not to insult some of the better porters I've had with more body and depth of flavor) The cask conditioning is the twist that really pushes this beer forward with the fresh earthy yeasty/ hoppy profile, otherwise I would say this beer needs more body and depth. It is certainly well crafted, but fighting with one hand tied behind its back.

Serving type: cask

03-13-2007 19:53:14 | More by dedrinker

OldFrothingSlosh

Pennsylvania

2.98/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

From the firkin at Capital Ale House's "Steal the Glass" night.

Moderate darkness. Not inky blackness. More of a chocolatey-caramel color with tinges of light at the sides. Thin layer of dark tan head. Sparse lacing. Nose is light. Hints of powdered chocolate drink mix and some caramel-vanilla. Flavor is very diluted. Nothing full-bodied at all. There's some dark chocolate mixed with a splash of coffee. Maybe a raisin as well? Very thin on the palate. Nothing here to suggest a hefty stout, let alone a double stout. ABV remains hidden the entire time, but this is still not very drinkable. Still falls far short of the American Double Stout category.

Notes: I sure hope afatty enjoys the glass this came in....that was the highlight of this beer.

Serving type: cask

07-21-2005 11:39:58 | More by OldFrothingSlosh

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.78/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours deep black but has a kind of fizzy look. The head was...fizzy and disappeared quite quickly.

The scent is a little weird, as it has more qualities of a milk stout. Very lactose like with thin dry chocolate and dry malt aromas.

For as dry as the scent was the taste is rather sweet. Sweet dark chocolate or espresso with a bit of coffee and malt. Tasty but not going to rule world.

The feel is as easy as a lager and at over 8 pct ABV this could be dangerous.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 23:14:03 | More by KYGunner

IchLiebeBier

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Very dark chestnut, almost black; big, frothy tan head due to aggressive pour, long lasting; excellent lacing

Aroma: Roasted malts; coffee; chocolate; earthy hops; dried figs

Taste: Malty and very creamy on start with roasted malts well balanced with sweetness quickly following; warming alcohol in the mid; creamy mouthfeel throughout; finishes sweet with lingering bitter notes; excellent

Remarks: Did not score A, T, S, M at that time; disregard those scores

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 21:59:18 | More by IchLiebeBier

Leon86

Virginia

3.8/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served: Bottle - Notched Oct 12,2013 (Drink by date) - Poured into a mug.

Appearance: Pours very dark brown but not quite black. Starts with a small head (finger height) that dissipates quickly into a thin ring-like top.

Smell: Strong coffee and molasses on the nose, perhaps a hint of hops in there.

Taste: Strong coffee, malty, the alcohol is very present but not overpowering by any means. Slight hint of hops, strong coffee finish.

Mouthfeel: Reasonable thickness and smoothness. Not watery but not heavy/syrupy. Goes down easily for being what it is. Not much of the creaminess feel that I get from many stouts.

Overall: I like this beer and I can see myself keeping it in stock for occasional drinking or an after work treat but I don't think I could drink it every day. The alcohol presence in this beer is very noticeable and may be a bit much for anyone new to stouts or even craft beer in general. I would recommend anyone to try this brew at least once.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2013 19:18:28 | More by Leon86

tectactoe

Michigan

3.09/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Thanks to Jeff for this one; intended to break up the "monotony" of all the IPAs we enjoyed previously. Peg Leg pours a very dark brown, not quite bruising enough to be called pitch black, decent amounts of light shining through the edges. Barely any head forms, even with a mildly aggressive pour; the skin the shows up is an off-khaki color that leaves no lace behind.

To say the least, the nose is fairly unimpressive, especially for the style in question. It's got a quiet stout backing full of some roasted and darker malts, joined by a light cocoa powder essence and a touch of sweetness. And that's really about it. Pretty "unrobust" for a Russian Imperial Stout. Even with time, it never really opens up or gets any more exciting - very lazy and quiet, and that's not what I'm looking for in my imperial stouts. Nothing offensive, just nothing very notable, either.

The flavor has a light roast and toasted malt feeling to it; coffee beans come into play with a deeper allotment of cocoa powder that the nose would have you believe. Some sweetness, almost residual like very, very modest amounts of brown sugar. Halfway through, there's a soft kiss of hops, slightly ashy and leafy, not really adding much save for a mild hint of bitterness. The aftertaste is heaviest with a used coffee-bean flavor, somewhat sweet and almost creamy. Actually, the aftertaste that coats my mouth after the beer is gone is my favorite thing about it so far.

Mouth feel is depressingly thin for the style as well, medium bodied at best, not very creamy feeling; kind of slick and oily, low carbonation. No real alcohol presence, except for a very light warmth. This beer is listed as a Russian Imperial Stout, but it seems like anything but that to me. If anything, it reminds me more of a regular American Stout. It just doesn't have the robust flavors, aromas, or mouth feel you should expect from this style. It falls kind of flat and doesn't really give you anything that would make you come back for more. Thanks again to Jeff for sharing.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 21:34:58 | More by tectactoe

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.99/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

From a 12 fl. oz. bottle with the label notched at Jul 2013. Sampled on April 14, 2013.

The pour is very dark brown to almost black with a tan head that dissipates quickly to a thin ring.

On the nose there are roasted dark chocolate malts, Amarillo, and the vaguest of hops lingering on the backside. More sweet.

The body falls into the medium range and creamy.

The taste begins with many of the same roasted dark sensations as the nose but a little sweeter. It ends slightly dry with a bitterness that lingers. I think there was a good effort here but I don't think is quite met my expectations for an Imperial Stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 20:22:27 | More by puboflyons

BurgeoningBrewhead

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from 12oz brown bottle into stout glass. Pours dark oily brown, aggressive pour yields small dark brown head with big bubbles that dissipates rather quickly. Smell is burnt sugar, coffee and maybe a bit of chocolate, very clean smelling. Taste is coffee and bitter chocolate, sweet at first but drying to finish. Some delicate lacing sticks as it's drunk. Mouthfeel is smooth yet full, alcohol isn't noticeable. A solid RIS that I would pick up again.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 02:36:22 | More by BurgeoningBrewhead

Flounder57

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle was poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: This beer poured a one finger head that reduced to a thin layer. It is a pitch black color with no clarity of bubbles coming up through the glass.

Smell: Roasted coffee, caramel, chocolate, toffee, and toasted oats.

Taste: Same as above with a little booze in the end and a little ash and smoke characters. Nice stuff.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, boozy, full bodied, silky, and low to medium carbonation.

Overall: As for hoe the beer looked, pretty solid beer and happy that I let it warm up a bit too to bring out more qualities.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 06:31:52 | More by Flounder57

Dave1999

Virginia

4.14/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Poured pitch black with no head at all and very little lacing.

The smell was dark malts, sweet caramel and a touch of coffee, with a little bit of alcohol.

The taste was very malty, milk chocolate, a little alcohol.

The mouthfeel was a little on the thin side but not terribly so, with medium carbonation.

Overall I really like this beer, a good solid chocolatey malty stout with just a little bit of alcohol but at 8% abv not bad at all. Would definitely buy it again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2013 17:48:01 | More by Dave1999

Minkybut

Virginia

3.43/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

I poured this heavy duty black brew into my tumbler at 45 degrees. The beer looked like a stout and smelled like coffee. The beer was a little sweet tasting with a coffee hit and not too heavy on the chocolate side. Not a real HEAVY tasting beer but you knew it was there. I would buy this again for sure. Like to see it on tap!

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 17:29:42 | More by Minkybut

Mertzy81

Maryland

3.74/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Appearance: Black, with a little beige head that fades quick, average lacing - seems a bit thin

Smell: Somewhat mild but interesting - burnt, chocolate malts, some coffee, cooked malts, caramel - not a ton going on

Taste: Burnt, a little earthy, roasty coffee - burnt malts, cooked and caramelized malts, some char - not a bad stout, but it really doesn't taste "imperial"

Mouthfeel: Smooth, but could be smoother - very light

Overall: Not bad, just average

I realize that I have been spoiled by some of the more ridiculous takes on the RIS style, but I am pretty certain this is the thinnest imperial stout I've ever had. It's not bad, I just think that it needs more of everything.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 07:18:16 | More by Mertzy81